20190308Decision Memo.pdf

DECISION MEMORANDUM
COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER
COMMISSIONER RAPER
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON
COMMISSION SECRETARY
COMMISSION STAFF
LEGAL
FROM:EDWARD JEWELL
DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL
DATE: MARCH 4,2019
SUBJECT: APPLICATION OF SPIRIT LAKE EAST WATER COMPANY AND
LYNNWOOD FOR AMENDMENT AND TRANSFER OF CPCN; CASE
NO. SPL-W-19-01
On February 15, 2019, Gem State War Company, LLC ("Gem State Water") filed an
application with the Commission requesting approval of Gem State Water's acquisition of the
assets of Spirit Lake East Water Company ("Spirit Lake") and Lynnwood Water, and approval to
amend Spirit Lake's certificate of public convenience and necessity ("CPCN") to incorporate the
customers currently served by Lynnwood and transfer the amended CPCN to Gem State Water
(collectively, the "Application").
THE APPLICATION
Gem State Water is an Idaho limited liability company created to own and operate
water utilities in Idaho. Application at 2. Gem State Water, through its parent companies, is
owned by Northwest Natural Holding Company. 1d Gem State Water states that the transfer of
ownership will not result in a change to the rates of Spirit Lake or Lynnwood Water. Id. at 3.
Spirit Lake is a regulated water utility that serves approximately 315 customers in north Idaho.
Id. Lynnwood Water serves approximately 18 customers at the time of filing. Id. at4. The
same person owns Spirit Lake and Lynnwood Water. Id. at 3-4.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Commission issue a Notice of Application and Notice of
Modified Procedure and set a ninety day comment period and a seven day reply period.
IDECISION MEMORANDUM
TO:
COMMISSION DECISION
Does the Commission wish to issue a Notice of Application and Notice of Modified
Procedure and set a ninety day comment period and a seven day reply period?
Deputy General
lrU-egal\WATER\SPL-W- I 9-0 l\SPLWl90 l-dec memo_ej
2DECISION MEMORANDUM